Hunting foot covers and method of use

ABSTRACT

A disposable hunting foot cover comprising a sole, foot portion and sleeve-like leg segment constructed of an inner ply of plastic film and an outer ply of soft woven composite fabric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to disposable plastic boot sleeves, hereinafter referred to as “foot covers”, which are used to cover the foot and at least a portion of the leg of a hunter to contain human odors that would otherwise be deposited on the ground and foliage and thus be detectable by wildlife, and to do so in a stealthy manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Heretofore foot coverings have been used in many applications to protect footwear from the effects of a wet, muddy and/or otherwise potentially damaging or hostile environment, ranging from relatively complex overshoes to simple plastic shoe covers put on feet. Such protection is necessary under many different activities where muddy or wet conditions are present. Similar protection is needed in commercial fields such as health care, laboratories, farming, manufacturing, clean room application and others, in both preventing contamination to the environment and protection from the environment.

Although the prior art devices and techniques served their purposes, they do not disclose nor suggest the—inventive concept of this invention of a disposable foot cover designed to cover the foot, footwear and leg garments of a hunter to prevent foot or other human related scent from being deposited on the ground or foliage through which the human passes.

Furthermore, the prior art has materials of construction that either emit or retain their own distinct scent which is then deposited or otherwise transferred to the ground or foliage and which alerts wildlife to a hunter's presence. The prior art also employs methods of construction that allow scent to be released through seams or openings.

In addition, the prior art is made from materials of construction that are noisy and/or rigid and do not address the critical needs of the hunter to remain quiet and stealthy.

Patents of interest in this field include: U.S. Pat. Nos.: 7,219,443 issued May 22, 2007 to Czaplewski et al.; 4,335,527 issued Jun. 22, 1982 to Pask; 3,128,565 issued Apr. 14, 1964, to Graham et al.; 6,353,939 issued Mar. 12, 2002 to Arber; 3,713,232 issued Jan. 30, 1973 to Bohmann; 5,729,915 issued Mar. 24, 1998 to Khoo et al.; 5,815,948 issued Oct. 6, 1998 to Dzielak; 5,787,607 issued Aug. 4, 1998 to Schurch; 5,896,676 issued Apr, 27, 1999 to Barousse.

Briefly considering these patents, the Czaplewski et al. patent discloses a multi-wear protective cover and legging constructed of fabrics such as canvas which retain scent. The Pask patent discloses footwear of a disposable nature and in the form of a cover. However, there is no consideration for its application to hunting wildlife where the need is for a wearer to contain foot odor, to remain scent free, and to remain stealthy. The Graham et al. patent discloses a rigid cover to protect a wearer from snake bites. The Arber discloses a disposable one-time use legging for covering, and protecting a lower leg of a wearer from, and capturing, ticks. The Bohmann patent discloses a multi-wear over cover comprising a sleeve-like leg constructed of flexible rubber fabric. The Khoo et al. patent discloses a multi-wear protective cover for footwear to provide waterproofing and dust proofing protection. The Dzielak patent discloses a waterproof gaiter designed to prevent water, snow and dirt from entering into the wearer's boot or shoe with no provision for protecting the shoe area. The Schurch patent discloses a multi-wear shoe cover constructed of a plasticized polymer. The Barousse patent discloses a wade fishing leg gaiter constructed of neoprene.

None of this prior art is suggestive of the inventive concept of this invention to prevent in a stealthy manner the transfer of human odor to the ground or foliage, thereby preventing an alert to the wild life in the immediate area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to disposable boot sleeves or foot covers which are used to cover the foot of a hunter to contain the spread of human odor on the ground or foliage (even waist high) in a stealthy manner. The foot covers of this invention employ an interior plastic film liner to contain foot odors, and an exterior fabric liner to muffle noise caused by the inner plastic liner. The economical and disposable nature of the invention permits the wearer to put on a new pair of such foot covers as necessary so as not to spread human odor on the ground or foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a design drawing of a foot cover of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed design drawing of the foot cover wherein the invention comprises a sole (1), foot portion (2), leg segment (3) and fastening device (4). The area in and around the sole and foot portion is closed-ended to enclose a wearer's foot to seal in all human scent. The top of the leg segment (5) is open-ended to allow the wearer to slip on the foot cover. The fastening device is of sufficient tightness to contain the wearer's odors inside foot cover, and remain stealthy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an economical, functional and practical hunting foot cover well suited to be used by a hunter to effectively and completely contain the spread of human scent by way of a plastic film liner and be of proper construction to allow the wearer to remain stealthy.

Over the past century, man's pursuit of big game has changed from less of a hunter-gatherer to more of a trophy hunter. In pursuit of the most elusive trophies, a hunter can accidentally carry household smells and deposit them into the field by way of one's hunting boot or apparel, these household smells alarm big game and have a detrimental effect on a hunter's success. Furthermore, with the introduction all terrain vehicles (ATVs) there are more detrimental ways for hunters to contaminate game trails by way of fuel, lubricant and exhaust residue which are picked up by an ATV rider's hunting boot or apparel and unknowingly deposited on the ground or foliage.

Case in point, the ever elusive white-tail deer, by virtue of their keen sense of smell and intelligence, can grow impressive antlers because of their ability to detect human odors and avoid danger. To address the human odor issue, hunting industry manufacturers have focused on development of liquid based “scent eliminating” sprays that are claimed to remove a hunter's scent so as not contaminate the ground or foliage. Unfortunately, these liquid sprays are mere cover scents and do not fully address the foot odor issue that hunters deal with when venturing into the woods to ambush a big game trophy.

To effectively create an odor barrier, this invention employs material that is carefully and deliberately chosen not to emit its own scent or the scent of its wearer that could be picked up by either the ground or foliage (even waist high) that could be detectable by that trophy animal.

In addition, the foot cover's inventive two-ply concept uniquely incorporates materials of construction to allow a hunter to trek quietly and remain stealthy.

The disposable hunting foot cover of this invention, being compact, lightweight and odor proof, lends itself to cost effective and convenient packaging and dispensing similar to disposable rubber gloves utilized in hospitals.

Additionally, material of construction and fabrication methods result in a product that is completely waterproof so that a hunter could effectively use the foot cover of this invention to trek across such obstacles as a shallow creek, snow bound field or mud laden bog in order to keep hunting wear clean and moisture free.

The foot covers of this invention are desirably of the “disposable” use type and flexible enough to be folded in multiple quantities and stored and dispensed out of a box or bag. 

1. A pair of disposable foot covers manufactured of plastic film and soft woven composite fabric, in the form of a sole, foot portion, leg segment and fastening device.
 2. The disposable foot covers of claim 1 manufactured using a dual ply construction comprising: a. an inner ply of plastic film or other materials that have the following properties or characteristics: i. flexibility ii. elasticity iii. odor barrier (to contain odors inside Foot Cover) iv. moisture barrier (to prevent introduction of moisture inside Foot Cover) b. an outer ply of soft woven composite fabric or other materials that have the following properties or characteristics: i. flexibility ii. sound barrier (to muffle or dampen “crunching” sounds caused by the plastic film, especially during cold temperatures)
 3. The disposable foot covers of claim 2 wherein said inner ply of plastic film has a thickness ranging from 2.0 to 8.0 mils.
 4. The disposable foot covers of claim 2 wherein said outer ply of composite fabric has a fabric weight ranging from 0.2 oz. to 1 oz.
 5. The disposable foot covers of claim 1 wherein a fastening device is located at and built into the opening of the upper leg segment of the cover where the user inserts a foot.
 6. The disposable foot covers of claim 5 wherein said fastening device is of sufficient tightness to contain the wearer's odors inside the foot cover.
 7. The disposable foot covers of claim 1 wherein there is provided a method for bonding the inner plastic layer and the outer cloth layer by means of single or multiple weld line(s) running longitudinally or laterally to the elastic band.
 8. The disposable foot covers of claim 7 wherein said weld lines are of sufficient strength to contain the wearer's odors inside the foot cover.
 9. The disposable foot covers of claim 1 manufactured without regard to the left or right foot.
 10. The disposable foot covers of claim 1 wherein is provided a separately constructed removable insole constructed of a combination of fabric, paper and/or foam rubber or like cushion material whereby said insole may be inserted in the hunting foot cover to further dampen the “crunching” sounds of the plastic film so a hunter remains stealthy. 